A judicial settlement conference between the Speaker and three Members of Parliament who resigned from the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) began on Friday.

The Speaker of the House, Papalii Lio Masipau took the three Members to court to question their membership of the Legislative Assembly, after they called it quits as members of the former ruling party. 

The M.P. for Faleata No. 4, Ale Vena Ale, the M.P. for Siumu, Tu’u’u Anasi’I Leota and the M.P. for Va’a Fonoti, Mau’u Siaosi Puepuemai resigned from the H.R.P.P. in November last year. 

Following their resignations from the party, the three Members declared that they are now Independents. But the Speaker filed a motion with the Supreme Court, arguing that their three seats should be made vacant, in accordance with the Constitution after they tendered their resignation from the political party.

The matter was called and convened in Supreme Court Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke's chambers as a judicial settlement conference. The three Members of Parliament were present including the lawyers from both parties in the chambers

Lawyer Muriel Lui, who is acting for the three Members of Parliament, said nothing has been finalised in the conference which will continue next Thursday.

She also added that the discussions between the parties in J.S.C. are confidential at this stage of the process. 

Assistant Attorney General, Letoafaiga DJ Fong and Violina Leilua of the Attorney General’s Office acted for the Speaker.

The Speaker charged the three Members of Parliament on 14 November 2022 following their public resignation on 3 November 2022. The Members of Parliament objected to the charge in writing in December last year. 

The Speaker, who is the applicant in the proceeding, referred the charge of vacation of the seat against the Members for the Court's determination pursuant to Article 47 of the Constitution. 

The current law states that should an M.P. resign from a political party their seat automatically becomes vacant and the constituency is obliged to hold a by-election.